UNIC Cranes Europe, home of the most compact mini crane, was instrumental in the building of the brand-new timber-framed Shakespeare North Playhouse in Prescot, Merseyside.
Hoping to form a new “Bard triangle” with Stratford-Upon-Avon and London’s Globe Theatre, the recently built Shakespeare North Playhouse, representing an investment of more than £20 million, has been designed to closely emulate a traditional Elizabethan theatre.
Inside a 21st-century shell, the 350-seat arts theatre features an accurate recreation of a Jacobean timber candlelight theatre. This meant that the fully wood-framed structure would have to be built inside a concrete structure, a design idea that Kier, the project’s primary contractor, had to give careful thought to.
It was evident from the beginning of the project that specific lifting solutions would be required to guarantee the safe and efficient installation of several massive timber beams in what was a highly specialised construction. It quickly became evident after evaluating several options that the contractors required something bespoke to satisfy the requirements of this build.
The contractors contacted UNIC Cranes Europe, supplier of the world’s most compact mini cranes, because of their reputation for creating custom solutions for intricate buildings and their wealth of experience. Following the preliminary discussions with the contractor, UNIC created a customised solution that revolved around its cutting-edge MultiGrab hydraulic lifting clamp, an attachment that would eventually become essential to the construction of the Shakespeare North Playhouse.
UNIC equipped its URW-706-2 mini spider crane, one of the most adaptable units in their line, with the MultiGrab in order to better satisfy the precise requirements of the brief. The team at UNIC arranged a product demonstration for the contractor at the lifting specialist’s Haddenham, Oxfordshire, headquarters, giving them complete peace of mind and consideration for the fragile products the MultiGrab would be handling. In addition to training the site operators during this demonstration, UNIC was able to demonstrate the unparalleled handling powers of this ground-breaking attachment. In fact, they even coordinated with the MultiGrab’s manufacturer to have specially designed grab arms made in order to best accommodate the lifting of the intricately crafted timber beams.
To distribute the load point pressures of the crane, UNIC supplied four 1000mm x 1000m outrigger mats. Given the delicate nature of the project, UNIC additionally provided power connections for the crane’s internal operation so that it could run off the onboard electric motor and remove any potential for harmful emissions, as well as plywood sheets to ensure the crane’s tracks would not damage the floor.
Furthermore, UNIC drew on their wealth of experience in this field because they had previously provided a UNIC mini spider crane for the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse construction at London’s renowned Globe Theatre.
Keir said: “The construction of a brand new, Shakespearean-inspired playhouse is an incredibly unique, yet exciting, project to be involved with, and we knew it would require only the very best lifting solutions.
“The job was complex, with an entire timber-framed playhouse needing to be erected in what was a very tight space. That’s why we needed a lifting solution which could offer both strength and enough dexterity to allow us to carry out precise movements, all within a compact footprint.
“After seeing the MultiGrab in action at GGR’s Haddenham HQ, it was clear that it was the exact solution we needed for the new theatre.
“Due to the new playhouse being built within an existing concrete structure, the wooden beams couldn’t be lifted from above or underslung, and it was here that the MultiGrab really came into its own. Its unique design meant it was able to safely lift each beam and hold enough pressure to ensure a firm grip, without damaging their wooden exteriors.
“By supplying us with the basic lifting unit and the innovative MultiGrab attachment, alongside the specially trained operator, GGR played a vital role in bringing the project’s unique and ambitious design to fruition. From the first enquiry in December 2018 to the commencement of onsite works in January 2021 – slightly delayed by the onset of COVID – the whole team at GGR have been nothing but first-rate. After the portion of the work in which the MultiGrab was required was completed, we sent that back to the depot and held onto the crane to perform further lifts as and when necessary.
“Despite a complex brief, they tailored a solution so effective we managed to complete installation ahead of deadline – helping us make up for some of the time lost due to lockdown delays.”
